Mechanicville City School District reorganizes leadership, approves slate of personnel actions

The Mechanicville City School District Board of Education on July 1, 2026 elected John Tyleion president and Kathy Young vice president for the 2026–27 year and approved a broad slate of personnel actions and contracts.

The board opened its reorganization meeting by administering oaths of office to newly elected members and then nominated and voted on leadership. Pat Greenhall nominated John Tyleion for president; the board’s roll call produced six yes votes and one absence, electing Tyleion. "Thank you for everybody having faith in me," Tyleion said after the vote. Pat Greenhall nominated Kathy Young for vice president; that motion carried 6–0 with one absentee.

In regular business the board approved a long consent agenda covering tenure changes, probationary teacher appointments, managerial and CSEA (support staff) hires, summer hours, stipends and memoranda of agreement. Among the personnel items the board approved four-year probationary teaching appointments including Nicole Pundy as an elementary school counselor, Emma Riordan as a K–2 special education teacher and Hannah Lilock as a kindergarten teacher. The board also approved changes in tenure area for Colleen Paluso and Alex Chandler from special education to elementary education.

The board discussed an interim transportation plan after a longtime transportation supervisor retired. Michael Pratt told the board he would be available three days a week over the summer to cover routes while the district recruits a permanent supervisor. The board then voted to appoint Michael Pratt to the temporary transportation role; the motion carried.

Other approved actions included managerial probationary appointments (Megan Keys as executive secretary to the business manager; Clara Basilian as transportation supervisor; Macy Hicks as account clerk), multiple CSEA appointments effective July 1, 2026, and a long list of summer appointment hours. The board also approved a $1,000 Schedule B stipend for "No Place for Hate" advisors and an MOA for Susan Leaf Forester to serve as a school psychologist for 2026–27.

The board handled several personnel matters by motion: a retirement incentive of $10,000 for Michael Pratt (effective June 30), and the termination of employment of Brandon Danforth, listed as a mechanic. Votes on routine appointments routinely carried, with several items recorded as having at least one opposing vote during roll call.

The board president asked committee chairs to report regularly on work. He announced committee assignments: Building and Grounds and Finance committees will be chaired by the president; Kathy Young will chair Policy; Nicole Gorski will chair Safety, with Darren Dodge assisting when available.

The meeting concluded after public comment and then adjournment. The board posted a 2026–27 district-wide safety plan for 30 days of public comment and noted district offices would be closed July 3.

Next procedural steps: many of the approved personnel actions take effect July 1; some items (such as a fuller assessment report) are expected in August.